THANK YOU, LORD!

YOUR IMAGINATION CONTROLS YOUR LIFE

February 19, 2023

BE DOERS OF THE WORD!

February 22, 2023

20th FEBRUARY 2023

^“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

A few days ago, a brother called me saying, |” sister good morning ma. Hope you are doing well today. I want to inform you that I lost my job yesterday. My company is wounding up operations in Nigeria, and they have asked that I quit service. THANK GOD!

The words of the brother sank into my bone marrow, and I could not help absorbing part of his pains. Our brother has an ailing child, and aged parents amidst several other commitments. Despite these commitments and in the face of looming financial embarrassment, our brother still says, thank you, Lord. This is quite amazing!

The scriptures enjoin us to show gratitude to God in all things. No matter what has happened to us. It so happens that we find it difficult to thank God in difficult moments, especially when we have lost a job, promotion, a viable opportunity or when we are bereaved of a dear one. Why do we give thanks to God?

When we give thanks to God in pain and sorrow, for instance, we align our flesh with the spirit of God in order to receive healing. Gratitude heals us and strengthens our emotions to withstand grief and disappointment. When we give thanks for all our experiences, whether good or bad experiences, we cause the heavens to open, letting the golden rays of God’s beauty and love penetrate our hearts, and that in turn goes to melts away all bitterness from our hearts.

During painful and traumatic moments, we do not thank God for evil, but we thank Him for sustaining us through the trying moments and giving us the power and strength to endure it. Therefore, we can look ahead with hope, believing that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

The word of God is telling us today to give thanks to God no matter the situation; whether in good times or in bad times. When we give thanks in good times, the heavens open further to bless us more. In bad times, gratitude merges our pain with the Spirit of Christ, thereby allowing the Christ Spirit to absorb our pain and sorrow, while hope and faith are restored. Therefore, in thanksgiving, God grants complete restoration to us.

PRAYER

Father in the name of Jesus Christ, I give you thanks today for everything, for this is thy will for me in Christ Jesus. Thank you, Adonai, for your loving kindness, mercy, compassion, and graciousness, which endures forever. Therefore, I am not anxious, for your peace that exceeds all understanding keeps my heart and mind safe in Christ Jesus. Today, my mouth is full of praises oh most holy Yahweh, and I declare all my afflictions and bitterness are healed. I am strengthened and restored. Thank you, blessed Redeemer. AMEN.

FURTHER READING: Hebrews 13:15

Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi

Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi was born in Nigeria to Patrick Abuda Obeakemhe and Juliana Fatimatu Obeakemhe, both from Ogbona Town. With a master’s degree in law, she was called to the bar at the age of twenty-two, and she is currently the principle partner of the law firm Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi & Associates. She is also the founder of two philanthropic organizations: the Living Waters Mission and the Rose Croix Foundation. In addition to law, Lawrence-Dokpesi was drawn to spiritual pursuits at an early age, having begun studying philosophy, theology, chaplaincy, and spirit therapy by the age of eighteen. Inspired by her spiritual calling, she has produced ten intensively researched manuscripts on spiritual matters. Although Understanding the Spiritual was the last to be written, it is the first to be published. Lawrence-Dokpesi is a mother and a wife living in the city of Abuja, Nigeria.